Adult Programs

Milwaukee Mayhem: Murder and Mystery in the Cream City's First Century / Wednesday, May 31, 7:00 p.m. O’Neill Room

From murder and matchstick men to all-consuming fires, painted women, and Great Lakes disasters, historian and author Matthew J. Prigge uncovers the little-remembered and rarely told history of the underbelly of Milwaukee. This presentation will offer a new perspective on Milwaukee's early years, forgoing the major historical signposts found in traditional histories and focusing instead on the strange and brutal tales of mystery, vice, murder, and disaster that were born of the city's transformation from lakeside settlement to American metropolis. Join us for an engaging and occasionally chilling narrative of a forgotten Milwaukee. Free to attend. No registration required.

Author Event: Olivia in Five, Seven, Five: Autism In Haiku / Tuesday, June 6, 7:00 p.m. O’Neill Room 

When Kathie Giorgio’s fourth child was born 21 years ago, she thought it would be an easy journey. After all, she was already the mother of three. She thought she had experienced it all. But she hadn't experienced autism. After trying more traditional methods of dealing with autism, Kathie and her husband set it all aside to focus on their daughter, her needs, her requests, and her way of reaching out. Now an adult, Olivia is a Dean’s List student completing her senior year of college. She embraces her autism as a unique part of herself. 

One April, Kathie challenged herself to write a haiku a day about Olivia and about autism to observe both National Poetry Month and Autism Awareness Month. This book is the result of that challenge. The final poem is by Olivia herself. 

Join author and poet Kathie Giorgio and her daughter Olivia for an open discussion about autism, its impact on their relationship, and what it was like working together on this book. The event includes a lesson in how to write a haiku. Free to attend. No registration required. 

About the authors: Kathie Giorgio is the critically acclaimed author of six novels, including The Home For Wayward Clocks (winner 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award, Wisconsin Library Association), If You Tame Me, and All Told, two story collections, Enlarged Hearts and Oddities & Endings: The Collected Stories Of Kathie Giorgio, a collection of essays and three poetry books. She has been nominated in both fiction and poetry for the Pushcart Prize. Her short story collection Enlarged Hearts earned Giorgio a place on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “Top 21 Wisconsin Authors of the 21st Century” list. Giorgio is the founder/director of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop.  

Olivia Giorgio is a senior at Mount Mary College. She is majoring in art therapy and is a gifted violinist, artist, and writer. She is currently working on her first novel.

Decluttering and Downsizing: You Can’t Take It with You / Wednesday, June 14, 10:30 a.m. O’Neill Room 

Having too much stuff can impede people from relocating or from getting health care into their homes. This engaging presentation explores why “stuff” is so important for some people and teaches practical, easy-to-follow tips on downsizing and decluttering. Learn how to get started!

This free workshop is presented by AARP Wisconsin. It is the third in a series of five bimonthly AARP WI programs hosted by the library in 2023. No registration required.

Library Game Night / Wednesday, June 14, 5:30 - 8 p.m. O'Neill Room

Come enjoy Game Night at the library! Whether you're solving word puzzles, building towers, or unraveling mysteries, the library has something for you. From simple to complex, from lighthearted to more moody affairs, we have games for every level of interest and complexity available to play. Attendees can also feel free to bring their own games from home. Great for teens and adults, drop in anytime!

Following the Yellow Brick Road: The Life of Judy Garland / Thursday, June 22, 2:30 p.m. O’Neill Room

Judy Garland’s journey consisted of many steps. Just as her character Dorothy, in real life Garland followed the ups and downs of the yellow brick road on her rise to fame. While Dorothy battled monkeys and a wicked witch to finally reach her heart’s desire of returning home, Garland would battle the struggles of stardom in her desire to balance the approval of Hollywood fame with her own everyday life, hopes, and dreams.

Join us as historical presenter Michelle Gibbons discusses the beautiful yet tragic life of Judy Garland, from her rise to worldwide fame as Dorothy Gale, to personal trials and ultimate redemption. Free to attend. No registration required.

Andrea & Julia Bartz, In Conversation / Thursday, July 13, 7:00 p.m. O’Neill Room

Two New York Times bestselling authors (and sisters) share the stage for the first time, to discuss two of the most celebrated books of 2023. In conjunction with Boswell Book Company, the Elm Grove Library welcomes Andrea Bartz, author of The Spare Room (releasing June 20) and Julia Bartz, author of The Writing Retreat (out now), for an evening of conversation about their works, their writing journeys, and their local roots.

This event is free to attend. Books will be available for sale and a signing will follow. Advance registration is appreciated. 

Andrea Bartz is a Brooklyn-based journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here, The Lost Night, and The Herd. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Martha Stewart Living, Redbook, Elle, and many other outlets, and she's held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self, among other publications.

Julia Bartz is the New York Times bestselling author of The Writing Retreat, a practicing therapist, and a creative coach. Her fiction writing has appeared in The South Dakota Review, InDigest Magazine, and more. Julia lives in Brooklyn, NY.

A Cup of Health: Nutrition / Tuesday, July 25, 1:30 p.m. O'Neill Room

We all know that we should eat well, but what does that really mean? With a focus on long-term solutions instead of short-term diets, learn about the basics of a healthy eating pattern. The session will cover: 

  • How what we eat impacts our health 
  • Healthy eating patterns 
  • Portion control 
  • Reading food labels 
  • Science-based nutrition advice and helpful tools

This is the third in a series of five "Cup of Health" programs in 2023, presented by a community health educator with the Waukesha County Public Health Department. Free to attend. Advance registration is appreciated.